Financial Education

The holiday season rolls around at the same time each year, but unexpected expenses can catch you, and your wallet, off guard. Creating a holiday budget can help turn those surprises into anticipated costs. It can also give you a solid foundation from the start by saving you lots of time and stress — not to mention also preventing a debt hangover in the new year.

Liquid net worth is a calculation that helps determine the health of your financial safety net. It measures your ability to handle regular and short-term financial needs — and how well you meet your long-term money goals. If you spend most or all of what you earn and find it hard to save, improving your liquid net worth can be an important first step to breaking out of financial insecurity.

When it comes to saving money, small changes can add up quickly. Adjusting a few daily habits, cutting monthly bills and leveraging tools that automate savings can collectively make a big impact. These money tips can help you save for a house or a car or simply save more money out of your salary.

Private student loan borrowers, whose payments aren’t suspended and won’t benefit from any federal cancellation, may be wondering if now is their last chance at a good deal on refinance. The answer is likely yes. Experts from Goldman Sachs anticipate up to seven federal funds target rate hikes this year, but rates can rise in anticipation as well.

Often borrowers think co-signers and co-borrowers are the same, but they are different in several ways. A second person on an auto loan is quite common, and most borrowers simply need the stronger credit profile of a co-signer. But some may need to show the additional income provided by a co-borrower.

Carrying a balance on your credit card may be getting more expensive. Credit card debt can be difficult to manage even in the best of times, but increasingly high interest rates are adding to that challenge. Pay off your debt with these strategies. 

It’s always nice to get a check in the mail, especially when you aren’t expecting it. But be careful before you cash something like this! It could be a scam that will end up costing you much more than the check you took to the bank.

Zelle is a peer-to-peer payment network used by more than 1,000 banking apps. Like other P2P services, Zelle makes it convenient to send money to friends and family using their email address or phone number. But as convenient as it can be for you, it’s also that convenient for scammers who want your money. Learn how to protect your money and what steps to take if you experience a scam.

Fake checks come in many forms. They might look like business or personal checks, cashier’s checks, money orders, or a check delivered electronically. Here’s what you need to know about fake check scams.

Although making resolutions to improve your financial situation is a good thing to do at any time of year, many people find it easier at the beginning of a new year. Regardless of when you begin, the basics remain the same. Here are 10 key tips to getting ahead financially.

So you’re expecting a tax refund this year. With inflation driving up the price of gas, food and nearly everything else, that extra money can’t come soon enough. The hard part is deciding how to spend it. Should you invest the money? Book a trip? If you really want to do yourself a favor, use your refund to pay off debt. Here’s why.